[1/2] Grape leaves damaged by fungus favoured by a combination of drought followed by torrential spring rain are pictured in San Paolo di Civitate, Italy July 18, 2023.
That means Italy is set to lose its position as the world's top wine producer to France, which had ceded the crown nine years ago.
"Early in May we realised there would be no harvest, we cultivate organically and experienced the (fungus) attack sooner," he told Reuters.
Italian output is forecast to fall to below 44 million hectolitres this year, according to the wine lobbies and ISMEA, from 50 million last year.
Thanks to heavy rains and humidity, the fungus was able to attack the vines during these vulnerable periods, he added.
Persons:
San Paolo di Civitate, Romolo, DI CIVITATE, Paolo Niro, di Civitate, Plasmopara, Andrea Luvisi, Niro, Fazil Dusunceli, Dusunceli, Gavin Jones, Susan Fenton
Organizations:
REUTERS, DI, Reuters, University of Salento, United Nations Food, Agriculture Organisation, FAO, Thomson
Locations:
San Paolo, Italy, France, Americas, Abruzzo, Molise, Puglia, San, Rome